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Spring-training games will also train recyclers

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Phoenix will team up for the first "Zero Waste Spring Training" at the Salt River Fields at Talking Stick near Scottsdale.

On Thursday, March 13, during the Diamondbacks vs. Seattle Mariners, volunteers will show fans where to dispose of waste, which includes placing eating utensils in recycling bins and the leftover hot dog or nachos in the compost bins, city officials said.

Salt River Fields asked its food vendor to use biodegradable products such as paper trays or plastic utensils at this game, city officials said.

"This is a test," said John Trujillo, Phoenix Public Works assistant director. "If we are successful, we would like to take this model to the regular-season game. We are taking little steps."

City officials don't expect 100 percent zero waste at the game. They expect the effort to consist of 1,000 volunteer hours and cost the city less than $5,000 for educational information and items.

The effort is part of the city's recycling campaign, Reimagine Phoenix, which started in 2013. One element of the program is to educate the public about recycling, composting and saving energy.

City officials want 40 percent of Phoenix's solid waste diverted from its landfill by 2020.

To meet that goal, people must changetheir behaviors and habits, Trujillo said

"We hope that an event like this can bring awareness to attendees that a lot of what they consider trash can be recycled or composted and turned into a valuable product," Trujillo said.

Though Salt River Fields is on the Salt River Reservation, Phoenix officials expect some Phoenix residents to attend.

Cactus League games at Salt River Fields attract around 11,000 fans to each game, Diamondbacks officials said.

Derrick Hall, the Diamondbacks' president and CEO,has a reputation for supporting causes that improve the community.

"At the Arizona Diamondbacks, we have made an ongoing commitment to sustainability in all aspects of our business, which includes changing fan behaviors in simple ways around the ballpark," Hall said in an e-mail statement.